Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio, raised a strong $406,000 in the second quarter of this year as he gears up for what will likely be a tough re-election race.

National Democrats have already said they see the 14th District as a pick-up opportunity in 2014. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel named Joyce as a top GOP target in an interview with CQ Roll Call, although the only organized challenger so far is attorney Michael Wager. The Buckeye State has traditionally served as one of the country’s top battlegrounds for Congressional races. But Republicans controlled the mapmaking process last cycle, carving a favorable map for their party that included fewer opportunities for Democrats.

As a result, local operatives consider Joyce to be Ohio’s most vulnerable House Republican this cycle, even if the 14th District has not been very competitive recently.

Local Republicans picked Joyce as their nominee last August after GOP Rep. Steven C. LaTourette suddenly announced his retirement late in the cycle.

In November, Joyce defeated a perennial Democratic candidate and cruised to a first term.

The race is rated Tossup/Tilt Republican by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.